Wii bowling strikes home for residents of Lisle senior facility

Back in his day, Frank "Twinkle Toes" Taranto was known around Cleveland as a menace to any bowling pins that got in his way.

Now living in Lisle's Villa St. Benedict independent living facility, Taranto has earned a new nickname for his mastery of Wii Bowling.

"We call Frank the 'Spare King' now because he's helped all the ladies perfect their technique to pick up the spares," said Jeane Herrmann, fellow resident and Taranto's teammate on the Tenpins.

Taranto likes the new nickname just fine, but says he's afraid of not living up to the hype.

"You know, back in Cleveland you put a bowling ball in my hand and watch out. I was gonna run the lanes," he said. "But this Wii is something else. It's a lot harder because you don't really have the wrist control you have with a real ball. But I'm learning."

Philip Downey agreed.

"I used to bowl about 160, but this game is a bit harder. I can't seem to beat these guys," he said. "But I'm glad they talked me into playing. Initially, I wasn't interested, but it's been fun whether I bowl well or not."

Wii bowling has been popular with the Villa St. Benedict residents for almost two years. About 40 residents spread over eight teams participate in the residence's leagues.

Each player throws in $20 during each eight-week "season" and the teams host a regular bowling banquet to award prizes and share a meal with all the players.

On any given week, the Tenpins could be squaring off against the Gutter Gals. Or the Holy Rollers could be mopping the lanes with team Spare Me.

"We have really gotten creative with our team names," said Donna Tarnowski, bowler and scorekeeper.

Villa St. Benedict spokeswoman Courtney Shomo said the senior living community purchased the Wii gaming system as a way to bridge the gap between its 181 residents and younger generations.

"They visit with their children and grandchildren and this gives them one more thing in common," Shomo said. "They think it's so fun when they can tell their grandchildren that they play the Wii, too."

Herrmann went so far as to say she goaded her grandchildren and children to load the bowling game during a recent family function.

"I kind of surprised them and I whupped them all," she said. "You should have seen the look on their faces."

Shomo said she is working with Wyndemere Retirement Community in Wheaton to set up a Wii partnership between the two facilities.

"Hopefully we can pair up, have some tournaments between the two facilities and have fun with this thing," she said. "The residents are excited about the opportunity, too, since it's practically in our backyard."